Monica and Gaspare: Sicilian Ballroom Dancers | Anita Flavina
Monica and Gaspare: Dancing as One
In ballroom dancing, technique matters. Discipline matters. Elegance matters. But above all, connection matters.
For Monica and Gaspare, ballroom is much more than performance. It is a shared language, a lifelong discipline and a way of moving through life together.
As Sicilian ballroom dancers, they bring passion, dedication and artistry to every step they take, both on and off the dance floor.
Their story is one of commitment, growth and a deep love of dance. It is also a story about the importance of having the right foundation: ballroom dance shoes that allow a dancer to feel supported, comfortable and confident in movement.
Monica’s Story: From Ballet to Ballroom
Monica is 26 years old and comes from Sicily, Italy.
Her dance journey began at the age of six, when her mother enrolled her in ballet school. Monica was captivated by the grace and elegance of ballerinas and dreamed of becoming as strong and graceful as they were.
Over time, ballet gave her far more than technique. It taught her discipline, dedication and perseverance — values that would continue to shape her as a dancer.
When Monica discovered ballroom dancing, she recognised those same qualities in a new form.
What captured her imagination was the idea of two bodies and two souls moving as one.
For Monica, ballroom dancing requires empathy, mutual respect and a deep connection with a partner. It is not simply about executing steps correctly. It is about listening, responding and creating movement together.
She draws inspiration from the powerful energy of Simona Fancello and the elegance of Anne Gleave.
Today, Monica shares her ballroom journey with Gaspare, who is not only her dance partner but also her partner in life.
Together, they continue to challenge themselves, develop their technique and discover new ways to express themselves, including through show dance.
Gaspare’s Story: A Life Dedicated to Dance
Gaspare Romano began dancing at the age of five.
Also Sicilian, his introduction to dance came through his parents, who attended dance classes themselves. As a child, Gaspare wanted to join them — and that curiosity became the beginning of a lifelong passion.
Since childhood, he has taken lessons and participated in Latin and ballroom dance competitions, dedicating himself fully to the art.
Competitive and determined, Gaspare continually pushes himself to improve.
For him, dance is something that fuels the soul.
Among the dancers who have inspired him most are Wiktor Kiszka, Simona Fancello, William Pino and Alessandra Bucciarelli. He admires the passion they bring to their performances and has spent countless hours studying their dancing.
In 2018, Gaspare opened ALMA DANCE STUDIO, which today welcomes more than 100 students of different ages.
Teaching has become another important part of his journey. It gives him the opportunity to share his love of dance and help inspire the next generation.
For the past six years, Gaspare has danced with Monica.
In her, he found not only an ideal ballroom dance partner, but also his partner in life.
Gaspare has dedicated his life to ballroom dancing, competition and teaching.
A Ballroom Partnership Built on Trust
A ballroom partnership is about much more than choreography.
Monica and Gaspare train hard every day, approaching challenges with joy, curiosity and a desire to keep learning.
Their aim is not only to become stronger individual dancers, but to become the best version of themselves as a couple.
That requires technical ability, but also patience, communication and trust.
Ballroom dancing asks two people to create one movement.
Posture matters. Timing matters. Balance matters. Foot placement matters.
And everything starts from the floor.
The feet support the body, transfer weight, create lines and allow the dancer to move with precision and control.
For Monica and Gaspare, careful attention to the feet is therefore an essential part of training.
Ballroom partnership depends on trust, timing and a shared understanding of movement.
Why Ballroom Dance Shoes Matter
For both dancers, high-quality ballroom dance shoes are essential.
Monica describes the feet as the foundation for creating beautiful lines and figures. They carry the dancer’s weight and must remain strong, elegant and well supported.
Gaspare places similar importance on footwear.
For him, the absolute priority is a secure fit combined with appropriate arch support and stability.
A ballroom dance shoe should feel like an extension of the foot. It needs enough flexibility for detailed footwork while still giving the dancer the structure required for balance and power.
Before discovering Anita Flavina, one of the biggest challenges was finding shoes that felt comfortable from the beginning.
Pinch points, poor fit and insufficient support could become distractions during training and performance.
With the right ballroom dance shoes, those distractions become far less important — allowing the dancer to focus on technique, music and partnership.
The Ballroom Dance Shoes Monica and Gaspare Wear
Monica and Gaspare move together as a couple, but each dancer chooses the ballroom dance shoes that suit their individual role, movement and preferences.
Monica Wears Padova
Monica wears the Padova ballroom dance shoes by Anita Flavina.
For Monica, the right shoe needs to support the elegance and precision required in ballroom movement while remaining comfortable through training and performance.
The Padova forms part of the foundation beneath her movement, allowing her to focus on posture, foot placement, balance and the quality of every line she creates.
Padova by Anita Flavina — Monica’s ballroom dance shoe.
Monica began dancing at six and later discovered her passion for ballroom.
Gaspare wears the Sicily men’s ballroom dance shoes by Anita Flavina.
For Gaspare, fit, support and stability are particularly important.
When his feet feel secure and comfortable, he can concentrate more fully on posture, controlled weight transfer, precise footwork and maintaining a strong connection with Monica.
Although they wear different models, their priorities are closely aligned.
Comfort. Fit. Support. Stability. Freedom of movement.
Two dancers. Two individual choices. One shared commitment to ballroom.
Anita Flavina's Sicily Men's Patent Ballroom Dance Shoes
Gaspare has dedicated his life to ballroom dancing, competition and teaching.
Supporting Balance, Posture and Connection
The relationship between footwear and ballroom technique extends far beyond comfort.
When the feet feel properly supported, the dancer can feel more grounded.
That foundation can help the dancer maintain posture, manage weight transfer and execute footwork with greater confidence.
It can also influence the partnership.
When both dancers feel secure in their own movement, they are better able to concentrate on one another.
For Monica and Gaspare, that allows the connection between them to remain at the centre of the dance.
Instead of thinking about uncomfortable footwear, they can concentrate on movement, musicality and each other.
For Monica and Gaspare, ballroom is a shared journey — on the dance floor and in life.